Loop-forming machine



Feb. 3, 1959 N. G. LlTz 2,872,231

LooP-FoRMlNG MACHINE Filed Jan. 9, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I.

ATTORN E YS Feb.v 3, 1959 Filed Jan. 9, 1958 N. G. -|Tz 2,872,231 LooP-FoRM1NG MACHINE;

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. NORMAN G. LITZ,

l M 1+. ww LJ BYMWM ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 3, 1959 Filed Jan. 9, 1958 N. G. LlTZ LOOP-FORMING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS.

ited States Patent LOOP-FORMING MACHINE Norman G. Litz, University City, Mo.

Application January 9, 1958, Serial No. 708,039

14 Claims. (Cl. 289-1) This invention incorporates a bundle-tying device mani ufactured by National Bundle 'Iyer Company, of Blissheld, Michigan, and sold under the trademark Saxrnayer.

The basic tying-and-cutting mechanism of this bundle tying device is disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 1,105,703, issued August 4, 1914-, to A. H. Saxton, et al.

An important object is achieved by providing mechanism that cooperates with this known bundle tye'r to form closed strand loops.

Another important object is to provide a loop-forming finger that engages the strand at a particular point in the cycle of operation of the above-mentioned tying device to form the loop, and to provide an improved mechanism for conditioning the finger automatically for subsequent loop-forming operation after each loop is formed and c'ut free.

Other important advantages are realized in providing an intermittent drive connection between the main drive shaft of the tying device and the finger mechanism for performing the above mentioned functional results.

Still another important object is achieved by providing an adjustable connection for the loop-forming finger which has the effect of predetermining different sizes of loops.

Yet another important object `is provided by improved means for raising the loop-forming linger to an overlying position relative to the strand length leading from the tying device, and for lowering the nger to its operative position relative to the strand length and to the said device.

Another advantage is realized by the provision of improved means for dampening or slowing the descent of the means supporting the finger, whereby to minimize impact vibration and noise.

The foregoing and numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will more clearly appear Vfrom the following detailed description of -a preferred embodiment, particularly when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. lisa top plan View of the loop-forming machine;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the machine shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational View of the loop-forming machine showing the relation of the component parts after approximately 150 rotation of the main drive shaft from the position shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the machine showing the relative position of the component parts lafter approximately 270 rotation of the main drive shaft .from the 'position shown in Fig. l2;

Fig'. 5 is a side elevational View of the machine show- "ice ing the relative position 'of the component parts after approximately 350 rotation of the main drive shaft from the position shown in Fig. l2; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, enlarged view of the vertical track and supporting bar mounted thereon, as seen along line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Referring lnow by characters of reference to the drawings, the loop-forming machine includes a frame strueture having a liat base 10 on which an L-shaped frame element 12 is mounted by bolts 11-. A leg 13 is provided at one end of frame element 1.2 and seats on base 10 to hold the 4frame element 1.2 in an inclined position as is best sho'wn in Fig. 2. At each end of frame element 12 is an upstanding frame portion 14 and 15.

Mounted on upstanding frame portion 14 is a conventional tying-and-cutting head 16 that is part of a well known device Vmanufactured by National Bundle Tyer Company, of Blisseld, Michigan, and sold under the trademark Saxmayer.

Briefly this well known tying-and-cutting head 16 includes a main drive shaft 17 rotatively mounted in spaced bearings 20 and 21 provided on frame 'element 12. Drivingly attached to main drive sha-ft 17 is a mutilated drive gear 22. A housing structure 23 is located about the mutilated gear 22, and is fixed to the ups'tanding frame portion 14.

Further, the tying-andcutting head 16 includes a stub shaft 24 rotat-'ively mounted `in housing 23, on which is secured a driven gear 25 adapted to be engaged intermittently by mutilated driveY gear 22. @peratively connected ot the stub shaft 24 is a conventional shuttle, knot-tier and cutter mechanism that is operated upon rotation of shaft 24 by gears 22 `and 25.

Although the machine can be operated manually, it is preferred 'to power the machine by the use of an elec- 'tric motor unit (not shown). The drive connection of this power unit is illustrated by the showing of a pulley 26 fixed to main drive shaft 17, and by a V-belt 27 engaging the pulley 26'. The belt 27 is preferably connected to another lpulley (not shown) drivingly connected to the drive shaftof the electric motor. Of course, any suitable control means such as a clutch .may be utilized for starting and stopping the power unit.

Attached to the upstanding frame portion 15 is a platform 30 on which is mounted a central spindle 31 adapted to hold a spool of strand material 32 utilized in forming the strand loops. A strap 33 is attached to a platform 30 and extends upwardly and diametrically across the platform 30 in overlying relation to the spindle 31 and strand spool 32.

The frame arm 15 is provided with a p'air of spaced bearings 34 and 35, adapted to mount a shaft 36. Fixedly attached to one end of shaft 36, adjacent bearing 34, is a needle arm 37. The needle arm 37 includes a curved hook end 40 that is adapted to engage operatively the tying-and-cutting mechanism of head 16 when the arm 37 is oscillatingly moved to the position shown in Fig. 3 upon rotation of shaft 36.

The supply of strand Vmaterial is first threaded through a holder 41 on strap 33 (Fig. l), thence threadedly connected to the needle ar'rn 37 through socket portion 42 and through an opening 43 formed in arm end 40, and thence threadedly connected to the tying-and-cutting mechanism of operating head '16 in the usual manner.

A linkage mechanism operatively interconnects the main drive Shaft`17 and the cross shaft 36 to oscillate the needle arm 37 from the raised position shown in Fig. 2, down to the llowered loop-forming position shown in Fig. 3, and back to the raised position shown in Fig. 2 upon a complete revolution of main drive shaft 17. This linkage mechanism includes a link arm 44 fixed to one end of main drive shaft 17, the link arm 44 being pivotally connected to a crank arm 45 that is in turn pivotally A vertical track structure is fixed to base and includes a pair of spaced plates 47 and 50, best shown in Fig. 6, closed at one side by plate 51 to provide a. U- shaped Channel, the plate 51 being secured by screws 52. The top of the track is closed by a lid 53 (Fig. 2). Located within the channel of the track structure is a lowermost stop element 54 and an uppermost stop element 55, such stops 54 and 55 determining the range of movement along the track structure. Secured to the stop elements 54 and 55 are springs 56 adapted to cushion a track follower that is described later, then moved along the track structure to each of the predetermined limits. .The spaced plates 47 and 50 are provided with longitudinal internal grooves 57 arranged in vertical alignment, as best shown in Fig. 6.

' The previously mentioned track follower consists of an L-shaped bar having angularly related bar sections 60 and 61. The bar section 60 is provided with a pair of axle shafts 62, that extend outwardly on each side of the bar. On each axle 62 at each end is mounted a roller 63 adapted to engage the opposite margins of grooves 57. Obviously, the rollers 63 operate in track grooves 57 to move the bar upwardly and downwardly in the track structure between predetermined limits.

The other bar section 61 extends laterally outwardly of the channel track so that its forwardmost end 64 is located closely adjacent the tying-and-cutting mechanism of the operating head 16, and is located immediately to one side of the strand length 59 leading from such mechanism to the needle arm 37.

The bar section end 64 is provided with a plurality of spaced apertures 65. A linger 66 is selectively located in one of apertures 65 and retained therein by a set screw 67. The finger 66 extends laterally outwardly of bar section 61, and extends in overlying relation to the strand length 59 between the needle arm 37 and the looptying mechanism. The finger 66 is provided with a downturned hook end 68, to facilitate gripping action of the strand length 59 when the bar is moved to its lowermost position, as shown in Fig. 2, and as will be seen later to facilitate movement of the hook over the strand length 59 as the bar s moved to its upwardmost position shown in Fig. 5, after the completed strand loop is formed and cut. Y s .l

The actuating means operatively connecting the bar 61 with the main drive shaft 17 includes a socket sleeve 70 pivotally connected by bolt 71 to a pair of spaced frame arms 72 secured to the frame base 10. A lever arm 73 is received in sleeve 70 and is retained by set screws 74. One end of lever arm 73 is pivotally connected to a link element 75. The link element 75 is provided with a yoke 76 that embraces opposite sides of bar section 61, the yoke 76 being pivoted to bar section 61 by pin 77.

Fixed to one end of main drive shaft 17 is a cam arm 80 that has a roller 81 rotatvely mounted on one end. The lever arm 73 and cam arm 80 are structurally related and arranged so that the roller 81 engages the top of one end of lever arm 73, as is shown in Fig. 4, during a predetermined portion of the cycle of operation of the machine, the cam arm 80 acting through lever arm 73 to move the bar 61 upwardly along the track structure to itsvuppermost position, as shown in Fig. 5. At another point in the cycle of operation upon continued rotation of main shaft 17 and cam arm 80, the roller 81 disengages from the lever arm 73 to permit the bar section 61 to drop by gravity to the lowermost position shown in Fig. 2.

Means is provided to slow the descent of bar section 61 from its uppermost position of Fig. 5 to its lowermost position of Fig. 2, after operative disengagement of cam roller 81 from the lever arm 73, in order to minimize noise and impact vibration. For this purpose, a plate 82 is fixed to the frame base 10 and is located adjacent one side of the lever arm 73. The plate 82 is provided with a curved cam margin 83. Pivotally secured to the end of lever arm 73 is a link arm 84 that carries a roller 85 adapted to engage and ride the cam margin 33. A compression spring 86 s attached at one end to the track plate 50, and attached at the other end to the link arm 84. The spring 86 tends to urge the roller 85 against the cam margin 83.

It is thought that the operation of the loop-forming machine has become fully apparent from the foregoing detailed description of parts, but for completeness of disclosure the operation is briefly set forth.

First, the strand material is threaded through the needle arm 37, located below the linger 66 and threadedly attached to the tying-and-cutting mechanism of the operating head 16, as described previously. For purposes of explanation, it will be assumed that the initial starting position of the machine is shown in Fig. 2. Then the main drive shaft 17 is rotated by belt 27 and pulley 26 upon actuation of the power means.

As the main drive shaft 17 rotates counterclockwise, as seen in Fig. 2, the link arms 44 and 46 and crank arm 45 rotate the cross shaft 36 to move the needle arm 37 downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 3, in which the needle arm 37 operatively connects the opposite end of the strand length 59 to the tying-and-cutting mechanism and loops the strand length 59 over linger 66.

Continued and further counterclockwise rotation of main drive shaft 17 operates to bring the mutilated gear 22 into operative meshing engagement with the gear 25, and hence actuates the tying-and-cutting mechanism of the operating head 16. As the strand loop is being formed by operating head 16, the main drive shaft 17 operates through link arms and'crank arms 44-46 to raise the needle arm 37 upwardly, as is best shown in Fig. 4.

After the strand loop is formed, tied and cut, the loop falls of of linger 66, as illustrated in Fig. 4. At this point in theV cycle of operation, the cam roller 81 engages the end of lever arm 73. As the main drive shaft 17 continues to rotate counterclockwise, the cam roller 81, acting through cam arm 80, pivots the lever arm 73 about its hinge connection 71 so that yoke 75 acts to raise the bar 61 from its lowermost position, shown in Fig. 4, to its uppermost position shown in Fig. 5. It will be noted that the linger 66 is located below the strand length 59 when bar 61 is located in its lowermost position (Fig. 4), and is moved above the strand length 59 when the bar 61 is moved to its uppermost position (Fig. 5).

After the bar 61 is raised so that finger 66 is located in overlapping position above the strand length 59, as shown in Fig. 5, the cam roller 81 disengages from the lever arm 73 upon continued rotation of main drive shaft 17. When the cam roller 81 disengages, the bar 61 drops under gravity to its lowermost position in which the finger 66 engages the strand length 59, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The cycle of operation is then repeated upon continued rotation of main drive shaft 17.

If smaller loop sizes are desired, the linger 66 is relocated in one of the apertures 65 to bring the linger 66 closer to the tying-and-cutting mechanism of the operating head 16, and conversely if larger loops are desired the finger 66 is located further away from such mechanism.

It is seen that as the bar 61 is moved upwardly to its uppermost position upon tilting of lever arm 73 by cam roller 81, as illustrated in Fig. 5, the roller 85 is moved downwardly along the curved cam margin 83 of plate 82 under the loading of compression spring 86. As the bar 61 drops under gravity from the position shown in Eig. to the position shown in Fig. 2, .the roller 85 engages'the curved cam margin S3 of plate 82, slowing the gravitational descent of bar 61, and hence minimizing noise' of operation and impact vibration.

Although the invention has been describedrby making detailed reference to a single preferred embodiment, such detail is to be understood as in an instructive, rather than in any restrictive sense, many variants being possible within the scope of the claims hereunder appended.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a loop-forming machine, a frame, a knot-tyingand-cutting mechanism mounted on said frame, a shaft operatively connected to said mechanism for operating same, a supply of strand material having one end threadedly connected to said mechanism, a strand-engaging linger operatively disposed over the strand length leading from such mechanism, a needle arrn pivotally mounted on said frame and threadedly holding the strand length at the other side of said linger, means connecting said needle arm to said shaftfor operating said arm to loop the strand length over said linger and to connectthe formed loop to said mechanism, and means operatively interconnecting said linger with said shaft to raise the linger in overlying relation to the strand length between the arm and mechanism after the loop is tied and cut by said mechanism.

2. rl`he combination and arrangement of elements as recited in claim l, but further characterized in that the nger includes a downwardly turned hook portion enabling the strand length to slip over the nger when the linger is raised, and normally engaging the strand length in overlying relation.

3. In a loop-forming machine, a frame, a knot-tyingand-cutting mechanism mounted on said frame, a shaft operatively connected to said mechanism for operating same, a supply of strand material having one end threadedly connected to said mechanism, a strand-engaging linger operatively disposed over the strand length leading from sai-d mechanism, a needle arm pivotally mounted on said frame and threadedly holding the strand length at the other side of said linger, means connecting said arm to said shaft for oscillating said arm to loop the strand length over said nger and to connect the formed loop to said mechanism, a track element on said frame, a bar supporting said nger and mounted on said track element, and means operatively interconnecting the bar with said shaft for moving the shaft along said track element to raise the nger in overlying relation to the strand length between the arm and mechanism after the loop is tied and cut by said mechanism.

4. The combination and arrangement of elements as recited above in claim 3, but further characterized in that said interconnecting means between the bar and shaft includes an intermittent drive connection selectively moving the bar along said track to raise the finger' in overlying relation to the strand length between the needle arm and mechanism after the loop is tied and cut by said mechanism, and selectively enabling the finger to move downwardly to engage the strand length in overlying relation.

5. The combination and arrangement of elements as recited above in claim 3, but further characterized in that the bar is provided with an adjustable connection with said linger to vary selectively the distance of said linger from said mechanism, whereby to determine dilerent loop sizes. A

6. ln a loop-forming machine, a frame, a knot-tyingand-cutting mechanism mounted on said frame, a shaft operatively connected to said mechanism for operating the same, a supply of strand material having one end threadedly connected to said mechanism, a strand-engaging linger operatively disposed over the strand length leading from the said mechanism, a needle arm pivotally mounted on said frame and threadedly holding the strand length at the other side of said nger, means connecting said needle arm to said shaft for oscillating said arm 'to loop the strand length over said linger and to connect the formed loop to said mechanism, a track element on said frame, a bar supporting said finger and mounted on said track element, a lever arm pivotally mounted on said frame, the lever arm having one end operatively connected to said bar, a lever-engaging member secured to said shaft and intermittently engaging the other end of said lever arm for raising said bar along said track element to raise the finger in overlying relation to the strand length between the needle arm and mechanism after the loop is tied and cut by said mechanism.

7. ln a loop forming machine, a frame, a knot-tyingand-cutting mechanism mounted on said frame, a sha-ft operatively connected to said mechanism for operating the same, a supply of strand material having one end threadedly connected to said mechanism, a strand-engaging linger operatively disposed over the strand length leading from said mechanism, a needle arm pivotally mounted on said frame and threadedly holding the strand length at the other side of said finger, means connecting said arm to said shaft for operating said arm to loop the strand length over said finger and to connect the formed loop to said mechanism, a track element on said frame, a bar supporting said linger and mounted on said track element, a lever arm pivotally mounted on said frame, a link element pivotally connecting said bar with one end of said lever arm, a cam attached to said shaft and rotatable therewith, the `cam engaging the other end of said lever arm after the loop is tied and cut by said mechanism, raising the bar long said track element to raise the linger in overlying relation to the strand length between the needle arm and mechanism, and disengaging from the lever arm to permit the bar and linger to drop to the normal operative position relative to said strand length and mechanism.

8. The combination and arrangement of elements as set forth in claim 7, but further characterized in that the linger includes a downwardly turned hook portion enabling the strand length to slip over the linger when the linger is raised and engaging normally the strand length in overlying relation, and further characterized in that the bar is provided with an adjustable connection with said finger to vary selectively the distance of said finger from said mechanism, whereby to determine dilerent loop sizes.

9. The combination and arrangement of elements as recited above in claim 7, but further characterized in that the track element is disposed vertically, and characterized by the provision of resilient means between the track eleA ment and bar for cushioning the drop of said bar after disengagement of the cam from the lever arm.

l0. In a loop-forming machine, a frame, a knot-tyingand-cutting mechanism mounted on said frame, a shaft operatively connected to said mechanism for operating the same, a supply of strand material having one end threadedly connected to said mechanism, a strand-engaging linger operatively disposed over the strand length leading from said mechanism, a needle arm pivotally mounted on said frame and threadedly holding the strand length at the other side of said finger, means connecting said arm to said shaft for operating said arm to loop the strand length over said finger and to connect the formed loop to said mechanism, a vertical track element on said frame, a bar supporting said linger and mounted on said track element, a lever arm pivotally mounted on said frame, the lever arm having one end operatively connected to said bar, a cam attached to said shaft and rotatable therewith, the cam engaging the other end of said lever arm after the loop is tied and cut by said mechanism for moving the bar along said track element to raise the linger in overlying relation to the strand length between the said needle arm and mechanism, and the cam disengaging from the lever arm to permit the bar and 7 nger .to drop to normal operative position relative to said strand length and said mechanism, a plate on said frame having a cam track, a cam track follower attached to said bar, and means urging said follower against said cam track to slow the descent of said bar.

l1. The combination and arrangement of elements recited above in claim 10, but further characterized in that the nger includes a downwardly turned hook portion enabling the strand length to slip over the linger when the finger is raised, and normally engaging the strand length in overlying relation.

l2. The ycombination and arrangement of elements as set forth above in claim 10, but further characterized in that the bar is provided with an adjustable connection with said linger to vary selectively the distance of said iinger from said mechanism, whereby to determine different size loops.

13. The combination and arrangement of elements as recited above in claim 10, but further characterized in that the said plate on said frame includes a curved, offset cam track, characterized in that the said cam track follower is pivotally connected to said lever arm, and characterized by the provision of a spring connected to said follower tending to urge said follower against the said cam track to slow the descent of said bar.

14. In a loop-forming machine, a frame, a knot-tyingand-cutting mechanism mounted on said frame, a shaft operatively connected to said mechanism for operating same, a needle arm pivotally mounted on said frame, means connecting said arm to said fra-me for oscillating said arm toward and away from said mechanism upon shaft rotation, a supply of strand material threadedly attached to said arm and to said mechanism, a track eleent on said frame, a bar reciprocably mounted on said track element, a strand-engaging linger on the bar projecting in normal overlapping relation to the strand length between the arm and said mechanism, the said strand length being in the path of said linger, and an actuating means operatively connecting said bar to said shaft for ymoving the bar along the track element in one direction to move the nger to one side of the said strand length and for causing movement in the other direction to engage the linger with said strand length.

References Cited in the lile of this patent UNTED STATES PATENTS 

